Chapter 27 - Midterms

*Morpheus pov*

It has been a couple of weeks since Albus and I signed the soul contract. I have him just enough information to keep him curious. Preventing Albus from calling in his clause to pull out of the deal.

Everything tells me I'm making the right choice, Albus is a complex individual. Sometimes he seems like a different person altogether.

How long has it been since I entered an alliance where I needed to keep my guard up? So long, it actually excites me.

I chuckled and then looked down at my desk, a neat schedule was written down on some parchment. This schedule has been posted outside my door for the past couple of days.

The schedule detailed the times each student needed to come in for their midterm. My midterm was situated in a way that each student needed to come in one at a time to do it. That's why I'm actually starting rather early compared to other classes, this way I can get through everyone in time.

My door creaked open and a Slytherin walked in, checking my schedule I smiled and said, "Marinette, please take your time to situate yourself. Over on that desk is a stack of papers pick one up and read the description of what you will be tasked to find," I motioned toward the closest desk to the door

She nodded and meekly replied, "Yes professor," she then quickly snatched a paper and began to look over it

While she did that I focused on grading some essays I had students write about 'what divination means to them'. There really isn't a wrong answer to this question but, knowing what divination means to certain students can help me guide and facilitate growth in a smoother fashion.

"I am ready Professor," Marinette said with a little more confidence than she had before

Setting the essays aside I stood from my seat and strode forward, "Please hand me your parchment," I said while holding my hand out

She passed me the parchment, and looking at it I saw her object was a small pocket watch. Nodding I took the parchment in one hand and waved it slightly *shhhrr* the parchment immediately burnt to ashes.

"You may start whenever you please," I said to one of my quieter students

She nodded and pulled out a pouch, reaching into the pouch she pulled out a beautiful black and dark green rod. It was perfectly cut with no blemishes. It seems she carved some small silver snakes along the side. I quirked my brow, it seemed I had an excellent student right under my nose.

"If we were grading based on the design and creation of your diving rod you would get full marks, Ms. Helshire," I complimented her

She beamed at me, "Thank you, sir!"

Then she relaxed and closed her eyes. I could see her entering the flow state.

Gently she pushed open the classroom door, *thunk* her diving rod fell to the floor pointing right.

We walked down the corridor together until we reached another impasse.

*thunk* left

*thunk* right

*thunk* right

As we reached yet another crossroads she let go of her rod, right before the rod fell completely it stopped mid-air. One end was touching the castle floor while the other was floating.

The floating portion spun around until it was pointing behind us. She seemed amazed and picked up her creation gently.

She led us a couple of steps forward then dropped her Rod again, this time it pointed to a blank wall.

"Did I fail?" she said quietly to herself, her voice sounding utterly defeated

I shook my head, "No you passed," with a flick of my wrist a small pocket watch appeared at the base of the blank wall

"Congratulations, you passed with full marks Marinette," I told her while I began to walk back to my classroom

"You may keep the watch, do whatever you please with it!" I yelled to her behind me

"Thank you, sir!" She said pure joy breaking through her voice

***

After a couple more students came and passed. Some did better than others but, so far no students had failed yet.

*shoo* my door opened once more, this time a Hufflepuff walked in

This was a student who confused me greatly, she obviously wanted to become an Auror. Maybe even reach further than that but, why would she pick divination when it's so unliked in her country?

"Ms. Bones, your question is 'If an Auror is investigating a building and he or she is sure there is someone hiding but, the revealing charm isn't working. What charm should you try next?'. I can repeat the question two more times if you need," I reminded her

She nodded with a pondering expression, and then she walked toward my bookshelf and pulled out two books.

She took one book and sat it on a desk. She then held the other book in her hand and closed her eyes.

In a fluid motion, she opened the book and flipped to a random page, at the same time she brought her finger down.

It seemed she didn't get the result she wanted as she closed the book and switched it for the one on the desk.

The title of This book was 'Estranged and Abandoned Spells'

She closed her eyes and began to concentrate, her hand gently sliding down the front of the book. As if she were a blind person reading Brail.

Suddenly she flipped open the book and brought down her finger. smiling she then read, "Resonare locus, a spell created by blind wizards to move around like normal. This spell utilizes the principle of echolocation like bats use. Being a fairly easy spell to cast it is a wonder why witches and wizards don't use it more often,"

I smiled and nodded, "Correct, Amelia may I ask why you are taking this elective? I haven't gotten to your essay yet,"

She nodded thoughtfully, "My mother loves divination so I thought I should give it a try too. So far I can see it might help with my future career as well,"

She speaks well for a child so young, "I see thank you," I told her as she left

The last student for the day walked In, "Ah Marcus, please come in,"

"Thank you, professor," He smiled softly I could hear a slight edge to his voice

"Your question is 'What species is used in the process of creating a broom,'." I then reminded him I could repeat the question two more times

He nodded and began to pull out several books, I raised my brow at his action. So far at most students would need three books but here he was taking four.

As he began to try to find the answer I could tell he was struggling and getting a little angry. I reminded him he could always ask for the question again but, he would always reply that he memorized it already.

"You are cheating it's not in any of these bloody books!" He yelled angrily I could visibly see the demon's blood affecting his thoughts

Sighing I pulled out a container, taking the lid off I ignored his shouting.

"Reply to me you bloody bastard!" he shouted

I calmly grabbed some powder from the jar and then lifted my hand to my mouth. blowing on the powder it spread out and reached Marcus.

"What the!" He shouted pulling out his wand

He was simply too slow, his body quickly fell to the ground. Putting this kid to sleep is getting awfully annoying.

-end-

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